Spotlight: Arco’s 3rd-Quarter Earnings Surge

Profit at oil giant Atlantic Richfield Co. of Los Angeles soared 52% to $479 million in the third quarter compared with the same period a year ago, fueled by higher oil and gas prices, increased natural gas production and a strong performance by its West Coast refining and marketing operations. Net income rose to $2.94 a share in the quarter ended Sept. 30, from $1.93 a share, or $315 million, in the same quarter of 1995. Revenue grew 17%, to $5.28 billion from $4.51 billion. Arco’s stock closed down 62.5 cents Monday at $131.75 on the New York Stock Exchange.